The Week My Voice Quit Teaching

This past week at school felt a little less chaotic. I’m finally starting to get the hang of my schedule, my students, and my coworkers. Things are starting to feel slightly more normal—which of course means something else had to go wrong.

Unfortunately, I came down with another cold. On Tuesday, I started losing my voice around midday. By the end of the day, it had completely disappeared. Apparently, teaching kindergarten ESL requires a functioning voice, which seems like a design flaw in the system.

As it turns out, a fellow teacher was experiencing the same symptoms, so the director sent both of us to the doctor.

It was yet another chaperone-free excursion. My fellow teacher and I headed off to the clinic together. Fortunately, the doctor spoke English, which made things much easier. She examined me, nodded thoughtfully, and then prescribed what looked like enough medication to supply a small pharmacy. Included in the mix were antibiotics and instructions to come back on Friday for a follow-up.

The pharmacy was conveniently located in the same building. The pills were packaged together into little packets labeled for three times a day. Each packet contained several pills, which you simply open and take all at once. It felt a little like opening a daily prize pack—except instead of candy, it’s mystery medicine.

Wednesday was rough because I didn’t have a voice at all. My Korean teacher (KT) had to do most of the talking and teaching throughout the day. Meanwhile, I communicated mostly through exaggerated hand gestures, nodding, and the occasional dramatic whisper. At one point I realized that teaching kindergarten without a voice is basically just interpretive dance.

Thankfully, my voice continued to improve throughout the week. At some point during the week, through the medically induced haze, I recall a five year old boy thoughtfully observed, “Your tummy is like a mountain.” Kids really do say the most honest things. And yeah, thanks for reminding me that I could lose some weight around my belly.

At my Friday follow-up, the doctor said my nasal passages and throat were looking better, but she still prescribed another round of medication—because apparently the first mountain of pills wasn’t quite enough.

By the time Friday evening arrived, I was completely exhausted from working while sick and taking all the medication. I went to bed around 11 p.m. and ended up sleeping through most of Saturday. I finally emerged from hibernation on Sunday around 10 a.m., feeling like a human again.

It’s now Sunday, and I’m feeling much better. Hopefully this week school life will continue to get a little easier—and hopefully my voice will decide to stick around.

Teaching kindergarten is challenging enough without having to mime the entire lesson.